The Importance of Being Ernest

Passage-

Algernon. Literacy criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don't try it. You should leave that to people who haven't been at a University. They do it so well in the daily papers. What you really are is a Bunburyist. I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist. You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know.
Jack. What on earth do you mean?
Algernon. You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.
...
Jack. You had much better dine with Aunt Augusta.
Algernon. I haven't the smallest intention of doing anything of the kind. To begin with, I dined there on Monday, and once a week is quite enough to dine with one's own relations. ... Besides, now that I know yo to be a confirmed Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying. I want to tell you the rules.
Jack. I'm not a Bunburyist at all. If Gwendolen accepts me, I am going to kill my brother, indeed I think I'll kill him in any case. Cecily is a little too much interested in him. It is rather a bore. So I am going to get rid of Ernest. And I strongly advise you to do the same with Mr.... with your invalid friend who has the absurd name.
Algernon. Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury... (pg. 6-7)

I chose this specific passage because it introduces the reader to what a Bunburyist is, and what they are all about. This conversation between Jack and Algernon really show cases their contrast in personalities. It is clear that Jack is much more mature than Algernon and, he is ready to commit to a women. Jack is ready to settle down with Gwendolen and this shows how much he really does care for her. Jack has moved pass the stage where he needs to lie to be accepted as a stand up guy, and he is ready for the responsibility of a honorable man. He does not want to have a mischievous side, and he wants to rid himself of his double life. However, this passage shows just how much maturing Algernon needs to do, because he still loves being mischievous. Algy is not ready to settle down and he uses an imaginary person, the importance of Bunbury, to get out of many social situations. He can not fathom the thought of being loyal to only one person, and he still needs to have the freedom he feels is completely necessary. Algernon needs to do some growing up, and Jack is ready for that moment of true commitment and loyalty.

This passage foreshadows the problems that Jack and Algernon are going to face further into to the play because of their double lives. The author is hinting at a situation that is going to arise that involves both of these men being caught in their lies. Even though, Algernon thinks Bunbury is the best thing that has happened to him and that he could never live without Bunbury, that will all change. Also, Jack is going to pay for his younger brother Ernest, and the lies he has created around Ernest. This just shows that there is something in store for them and eventually they will be found out. They can not hide from their past and their lies are going to catch up with them, in a most unexpected way.

It is just very ironic that the entire play is based solely on one lie that, got completely out of hand. Jack's brother Ernest causes so much trouble for everyone, and it is so unnecessary. This passage reveals that Algernon is not opposed to leading a double life, and that he supports Jack. Jack also mentions Cecily and how she is interested in Ernest, which also foreshadows, Algernon's idea to become Jack's brother, Ernest. This part is just an introduction, for what is to come, and why the entire play unfolds in the way it did.

My Opinion-

I thought this play was very humorous, however the characters have no real depth to them. All of their arguments are trivial and do not have any huge importance. The characters are only concerned with small issues, and they do not get involved with the deeper side of anything. Jack and Algernon argue regularly throughout the play, sometimes about nothing, for example the muffin argument. These two men have just been left by their fiances and they care to argue over a muffin, rather than find the women they supposedly love. Their priorities are just somewhat confusing and I do not understand or agree with many of the insane things they say.

I also find Cecily very funny and a very enjoyable character, who is not all together, however she is quite entertaining. The way that she had planned to be engaged to "Ernest" no matter who he was, without much knowledge of him at all. She does not even know that much about him, even forgetting the fact that she has never met him. The part where she says she had to call of the engagement, not because of a fight or a difference of opinion, but because during an engagement you need to call it off at least once. There is no feelings or emotions behind the engagement of Algernon and Cecily. They did not even know each other for more than a couple hours and the were already engaged, that is just insane.

I love the quirkiness to this play, however I do not like their way of life and their passive views on important topics. All of the characters just seem selfish and only concerned with themselves. I do like the lightness of this play, but I just can not fathom their way of living and the choices they make.

Symbol-

Food is always a source of argument for the characters, throughout the entire play. Everything including the cucumbers, the sugar and cake, and the muffins all are large sections of disagreement for the characters. Algernon and Jack fight over such a simple thing, like a muffin, and Gwendolen and Cecily do the same thing with cake. This just is a way to get across their trivial arguments and the insignificance of their disagreements. It definitely plays a central part in this play, always coming up at certain points, and that was no doubt intentional by the author. The food just shows the lack of depth and meaning to their disputes and their lives.